Venda good enough for PSL – Thidiela
‘Masutha staying put as coach’
In the wake of their promotion to the Absa Premiership, Black Leopards chairman David Thidiela is relieved Lidoda Duvha will have an opportunity to challenge for honours that comes with lucrative PSL prize money.
This, he said, will improve their financial status after five years campaigning in NFD.
“In football we do not make money at all ... but now it will be better in the Premiership because there are a lot of competitions,” Thidiela told Sowetan yesterday.
“I would have long been a multimillionaire if football had money but it all comes down to passion. The [PSL] monthly grant [R1.5-million] will help us to run the team.’’
The Leopards boss also assured that he will retain coach Joel Masutha.
“Why should we not keep him? He has done a wonderful job. We are not prepared to do any unnecessary changes.
“We cannot fix something that’s not broken. Masutha is Leopards through and through,’’ Thidiela said about the club’s former ace keeper.
The club has been applauded for attracting large crowds at Thohoyandou Stadium, but some feel the venue may not meet PSL standards.
“We are not moving away from Thohoyandou. We are a Venda-based team … so this stadium is our home. We will comply with PSL in terms of their requirements. If they want us to add some features we will look at that.’’
Thidiela’s son Tshifhiwa, who is the club’s manager, also revealed that although the team will register Thohoyandou as their priority venue, they will also add Peter Mokaba and Giyani stadiums as alternative venues.
“We are a Limpopo team, so we need to make sure we also register other venues like Peter Mokaba and Giyani. However, Thohoyandou is our priority,’’ said Tshifhiwa.
After outfoxing Jomo Cosmos and Platinum Stars in the playoffs to clinch promotion, Masutha is hoping to share the big stage with fellow young coaches like Maritzburg United’s Fadlu Davids.
“I am inspired by young coaches like Davids. In 2008 I coached [Leopards] in the PSL as caretaker coach and I won some matches – so I am ready,’’ Masutha said yesterday.